There is a lot of gun violence and blood in the movie, but it never gets overindulgent. ‘Sonchiriya’ is a different film, and it requires your complete attention. If you are a bit patient with these characters, you will enjoy their quest for inner peace and freedom.

Hungama

2.9/5

Bollywood Hungama

Abhishek Chaubey’s direction does justice to the plot and setting. This is a complicated film and on most counts, he manages to succeed. On the whole, SONCHIRIYA is a well-made and a well shot movie with a strong narrative and brilliant performances as its USP. At the box office, its prospects will be restricted as it caters to a different set of a multiplex going audience.

Meena Iyer

3.1/5

DNA

The film carries a subliminal lesson that can apply as much to the dacoit as it can to us. Yes, Karma, it says, is a ‘b***h’ and it will bite you. It’s unlikely that those in the cities will identify with this offering. But yes, if you’re a curious cinema fiend, Sonchiriya will entice you.

Kunal Guha

3.95/5

Mumbai Mirror

Luckily, this one offers a novel premise. Set during the Emergency, Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya delves into the burden of being a baaghi (a dacoit on the run) at a time when most rebels in the dacoit-infested ravines of Chambal were driven to their last tether.Caste and class play a definitive part in this chase. But it’s essentially a story of redemption that draws from the ideology that every man must face his demons before the inevitable end.

Renuka

3.25/5

Times Of India

Sonchiriya is a spiritual puzzle on redemption, remorse and salvation, backed by stellar performances, captivating cinematography and provocative dialogue. Gripping, tense and unpredictable, despite being a slow-burn western, Chaubey’s period thriller makes for a riveting watch. It manages to engage, suspect, shock and transport you to a world where people yearn for salvation over survival.

Taran Adarsh

3.1/5

Twitter

Very well-made film that caters to a niche audience… You need to have a strong stomach to absorb #SonChiriya… Violent, disturbing, shocking, with a horrifying twist… Fantastic performances by all.

Anupama Chopra

2.9/5

Filmcompanion

Sonchiriya tries to blend Spaghetti Western style-action drama with social commentary but it isn’t entirely satisfying on either count. You might also struggle with the language – Bundelkhandi – and it will help to see it with subtitles. That said, there is no doubt that Abhishek has talent to burn and I can’t wait to see what hell he immerses us into next. I’m going with three stars.